Convict Guide - published 2006 - Manual / Resource - Page 204
Guide to New South Wales State archives relating to convicts and convict administration
Chapter 17: Port Phillip and
Western Port
17.1
Background to the records
Western Port
Due to concern about French interest in the area, Captain Samuel
Wright of the 3rd Regiment was dispatched by Governor Darling in
November 1826 with a detachment of troops and convicts to establish a
settlement on what is now the Victorian coast near the present day
town of Corinella. (Australian Encyclopaedia, 4th ed., vol. 10, p.268).
Fort Dumaresq was set up on Phillip Island and another settlement was
located on the mainland. In October 1827 the Lucy Ann conveyed
additional convicts to Western Port. The first settlements were
abandoned in February 1828 due to poor soil and lack of water and with
the fear of French colonisation having abated. (Clarke, Convicts of Port
Phillip, p.60, Shaw, Port Phillip, pp.35-7).
Port Phillip
The first attempt by the British government to establish a settlement at
Port Phillip under Colonel David Collins in 1803 came to nothing, but in
1835 two Van Diemen's Land pastoralists, John Batman and John
Pascoe Fawkner, were instrumental in opening the district to squatters
and pastoralists. 'Within a year the occupation of Port Phillip under a
system of grazing licences had been perforce approved'. (Australian
Encyclopaedia, 4th ed., vol. 10, p.168, Shaw, Port Phillip, pp.44ff).
Convicts were not permitted to be directly assigned to masters in the
Port Phillip district, but they were present from the formation of the
settlement. (Clarke, Convicts of Port Phillip, p.95). Some assigned
servants had accompanied their masters while others had crossed from
Van Diemen's Land. Captain Lonsdale who was sent by Governor Bourke
as a magistrate in 1836 had brought a convict workforce with him and
assigned convicts accompanied surveyors on their surveys. (Clarke,
Convicts of Port Phillip, p.95).
Shortage of labour led to the introduction of 'exiles' in 1844 with the
arrival of the Royal George on 16 November. On board were men who
had served part of their sentence in Pentonville prison. They had been
taught a trade, and received a conditional pardon on arrival. (Clarke,
Convicts of Port Phillip, p.95). Further ships carrying 'exiles' were sent
which was far from popular. Steps were taken to prevent the 'exiles'
aboard the Eden (4) in February 1849 from landing. (Shaw, Port Phillip,
pp.207-10). The Hashemy's consignment of ticket of leave men was
turned away by La Trobe and went on to Sydney where strong
opposition was mounted against it.
17.2 Indexes to the records
Index to the Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788–1825 *ARK and is
available on State Records' website
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to convicts and others,
1826–77 and ongoing. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent re
convicts, 1826–May 1855. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent to the
Sheriff, 1828-50. Compiled by Convict Connections
State Records Authority of New South Wales
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